Lubricating device for internal-combustion engines.



J. F. MERKEL.

LUBRICATING DEVICE FOR INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES.

APPLXCATION FILED 050.23. I915.

1,280,267. Patented Oct. 1, 1918.

2 SHEETSSHEET I.

F ql.

Mam

B Y I W ATTORNEY J. F. MERKEL.

LUBRICATING DEVICEVFOR INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES.

APPLICATION FILED 052.23. I915.

1 ,280,267. Patented Oct. 1, 1918.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

INI EIVTOI? A TTOR/VE Y JOSEPH F. MERKEL, OF FLUSHING, NEW YORK.

LUBRICATING DEVICE FOR INTERNAL-COMBUSTION ENGINES.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, J OSEPH F. MERKEL, a citizen of the United States, residing at Flushing, in thecounty of Queens and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Lubricating Devices for Internal-Combustion Engines, of which the following is a specification, reference being bad therein to the accompanying drawings, forming part thereof.

My invention relates to lubricating devices for internal combustion enginesand relates more particularly to lubricating devices for the internal combustion engines of self-propelled vehicles of the comparatively small and light type commonly having two ground wheels in tandem. The self-propelled or motor vehicle in which my present invention is shown as embodied in the ac companying drawings, is the same self-propelled vehicle which is illustrated and described and of which other features are claimed in two other applications for patent filed on even date herewith and designated respectively as Serial Number 68,343 and SenNo. 68,344, Ser. No. 68,343 relating more particularly to the vehicle controlling means and Ser. No. 68,344 relating more particularly to the transmission mechanism.

Objects of my present invention are simplicity and inexpensiveness of construction, effectiveness of. operation, durability and continued maintenance in working condition, and other objects and advantages which will hereinafter appear.

My invention includes features of construction and combinations of parts as will appear from the following description.

I shall now describe the lubricating device embodying my invention illustrated in the accompanying drawings and shall thereafter point out my invention in claims.

Figure 1 is a transverse partly inclined and partly vertical section substantially on the linel-l of Fig. 2 as viewed from the right.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged longitudinal vertical section on a plane indicated by the line 22 of Fig. 1, as viewed from the left, and of Fig. 3 as viewed from the right.

Fig. 3 is a partial transverse vertical section on a plane indicated by the line 3 3 of Fig. 2 as viewed from the left.

The V-vehicle-propelling internal combustion engine embodying my invention illustrated in the. accompanying drawings has a Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Oct. 1, 1918.

Application filed December 23,1915. Serial No. 68,345.

cylinder 1 which atits open lower end is connected to a crank case or crank chamber 2 which at one side is closed by a crank case cover 3 as appears in Fig. 1 of the drawings, so that the crank case 2 is closed excepting asto its free communication with the cylinder 1. A usual piston 4 within the cylinder 1 is connected by a connecting rod 5 with a crank 6 on the end of a crank shaft 7. Oil is contained in the lower part of the crank case 2 for lubrication in a usual way, for example, according to the splash system, as is indicated in the drawings, and means involving my invention for automatically replenishing this lubricating oil in the crank case 2 so as to maintain it at a substantially constant level therein will now be described.

An oil reservoir 8 is provided below the crank case 2 and in the construction illustrated in the drawings the oil reservoir 8 is shown as formed integral with the crank case 2. An outwardly opening check valve 9, shown as of the ball type, forms an air outlet from the upper part of the crank case 2 into the atmosphere, as clearly shown in Fig. 2. A similar inwardly opening check valve 10 forms an air inlet from the atmosphere into the upper part of the oil reservoir 8, preferably above the level of the oil contained therein, as appears in Fig. 2. The oil reservoir 8 freely communicates with the inside of the crank case 2 at the bottom thereof from a point near the bottom of the oil reservoir 8 and below the level of the oil therein, this free oil-transferring communication being shown as provided by means of an oil tube 11 which projects downward from the bottom of the crank case 2 into the oil reservoir 8 nearly to the bottom thereof, as clearly shown in Figs. 1 and 2. A drainage plug 12 is shown as provided in alinement with the oil tube 11, and it is also to be noted that a larger opening in one side of the oil reservoir 8 is closed by a cover plate 13, appearing in Fig. 1.

From the present stage of description it will now be understood that downward movement of the piston 4 in the engine cylinder 1 will have a compressive effect upon the air contained in the crank case 2 and will expel a portion of this air through the outwardly opening check valve 9 into the atmosphere. It will also be understood that upon the upstroke of the piston 4 in the cylinder 1, a rarefaction or partial vacuum will be produced in the crank case 2, and

as the outwardly opening check valve 9 prevents the entrance of atmospheric air to re heve tlns rarefactlon, the 011 from the reservoir 8 will be forced up through the oil tube 11 into the crank case 2, by reason of the substantially atmospheric pressure upon the oil in the reservoir 8 provided through'the inwardly opening check valve 10, Upon the return or downward stroke of the piston 1, air will again be forced out of the crank case'2 throughthe outwardly opening check valve 9, and the oil contained in the bottom of the crank case 2 will not to any appreci-able extentreturn to the oil reservoir 8 through the oil tube or suction tube 11, by

reason of thefact that there is substantiallyfull atmosphericpressure upon the oil in the reservoir 8 and also because of the greater sluggishness of the'ol-l contained in the crank case'2 over the lighter and more mobile air contained in the upper parts thereof, this greater sluggishness of the oil of course being due to its viscosity, itsrinertia, and also to friction in the oil tube 11, and it has been found that no new return valve or check valve for the 'oil is required to be in control of the oil tube '11; v v

Were no regulating or controlling means provided, all of the lubricating oil contained in the oil reservoir 8 would be quicklypumped therefrom intothe crank case 2, but

141 "is operated by means of a float 15 within the crank case *2 andshown. as contained in and-guided by a well having an inner wall 16, this well extending below the bottom of the 'crank case 2, and, in fact, extending to the bottom of'the oil reservoir '8, which at this point is shown at a somewhat higher 7 level as appears in Fig 2. The'inner wall 16 of the float-containing-well is shown as extended upward substantially to the level of the oil in the crank case 2, for 'eflectively" guiding the float '15 in thewell, but is shown as provided with an opening-or port 17 on a levelfwith the bottom of the crank case2, for the purpose-of supplyingjoil to the well foroperating the float therein. The bottom of the float-containing well is shown. as

7 closed by meansof a screw cap l8iso that the float. 15inay be conveniently accessible and maybe inserted or removed through the .bottomof the well; The oil float 15 is pivotally carried by 'a' float lever 19 the other'end of which i'spivoted to a yoke 20,the upper end of the needle valve 14: being-pivoted as shown at an intermediary point of the float lever 19. The yoke 20 is carried by the upper end of a screw th'readed adjusting pin or stem 21. which is rotative in the yoke 20 and which extends downward to the outside through a screw-threaded bearing 22 which at" this point joins the bottom of the crank case 2 to the bottom of theoil reservoir 8 p as clearly appears in Fig. 3 of the drawings,

a lock nut 23 being shown as provided for the lower end of the float-adjusting screw stem 21. An opening'rendering the needle valve 14 and its valve seat accessible from the outside is shownas provided below and in line with the needle valve. 1& and'as closed by means ofa'screw plug 24. i

It will now be understood that when the oil in the bottom of the crank case. 2 has risen to the desired predetermined level according to and as determined by the adjus t- I ment of the float-controlling screw stem 21, the float 15 will rise and willopenthe air- ,controlling port which is controlled by the needle valve. 14%, the needle valve 14 being raised by the float 15. When this port controlled" by the needle valve 14 is thus openeda,

atmospheric air from the upper part of :the oil 1 reservoir '8 'will pass into the. crank chamber2 and-will relieve thelpartial rare-. faction produced therein by the engine pieton 4, so that no oil will be forced up through the oil tube 11 from the oil reservoir 8 into the crank case '2, but instead atmos't pheric air, freely entering th oil reservoir 8 through the inwardly opening check valve 10, willv pass through the port controlled by the needle valve 14 and through thecrank case and back to the atmosphere through the f outwardly openingcheck valve 9 in the up per part of 'the'crank case 2 as hereinbefore described. As soon 'as the level of the'oil in the crank case 2 falls to any substantial. extent below a predetermined level,-the weight of the float 15 and float lever19 'an'd of the air-controlling needle valve 14 will. close the needle' valve '14, preventing any further pumping or transfer o'fair from. the upper part of the 'oil reservoir 8 :into the crank chamber 2, and the pumping "of oil from the oil reservoir8 into thexcrank eham'ber2wil1 be resumed and will proceed as hereinbe-- fore explained until such timeiasi its level shall rise to theflpredetermined :desired height when again the risingfloat-15 will raise the needle valve 14 as before and so. on, 1t beingiunderstood that the eonstru ctionsa n d arrangementeare such thatEthe toil willlfibe 1 thus pumped. from the. oil reservoir 81into' r the crank case;2 are slightly-faster rate 1 i poses. Itwill -'now" be clear that-the. lubri than it .isneeded thereimfcr'. lubricatinglpurcating'oil in the'bottom oft-he crank case 2 will. be "maintained at substantially :con-

stant Llevel e -that, substantially thetsamef". i quantity of lubricating oil will at all ftimes.

be'maintained in the crank chamber 2, such quantity being predetermined and being that It is obvious that various modifications may be made in the construction illustrated in the drawings and above particularly described within theprinciple and scope of my invention. 1

I claim: 1. A lubricating device for an mterna combustion engine having a closed crank case, such lubricating device comprising means for expelling air from the crank case,

an oil reservoir in oil-transferring communication wlth the crank case, meansfor freely admitting atmospheric air into the oil reservoir for forcing the oil therefrom into the crank case, and means controlled by the oil in the crank case in control of the flow of oil from the oil reservoir into the crank case.

2. A lubricating device for an internal combustion engine having a closed crank case, such lubricating device comprising an air-outlet valve from the crank case, an oil reservoir below the crank case, an air-inlet valve for the oil reservoir, oil-transferring communication being provided from a point below the oil level in the oil reservoir to a point within the crank case, and means controlled by the quantity of oil in the crank case in control of the flow of oil from the oil reservoir into the crank case.

3. A lubricating device for an internal combustion engine having a closed crank case, such lubricating device comprising an air outlet valve from the crank case, an oil reservoir below the crank case, an air-inlet valve for the oil reservoir oil-transferring communication being provided from a point below the oil level in the oil reservoir to a point within the crank case, a float-controlled air-transferring valve for providing communication from above the oil level in the oil reservoir to the crank case, and a valve-controlling float in the crank case for opening or closing the air-transferring valve according as the oil rises or sinks in the crank case.

4. A lubricating device for an internal combustion engine having a cylinder with a piston therein and having an inclosed crank case, such lubricating device comprising an outwardly opening check valve connecting the upper part of the crank case with the atmosphere for expelling air from the crank case by the compressive action of the engine piston on its return movement, an oil reservoir lower than the crank case and communicating therewith from a point near the bottom of and below the oil level in the oil reservoir for the transfer of oil from the oil reservoir to the crank case, an air-admitting inwardly openingcheck valve from the atmosphere into the oil reservoir, and valve means controlled by the quantity of the oil in the crank case for admitting or preventing the entrance of atmospheric air into the crank casefor thereby controlling the flow of oil from the oil reservoir into the crank case. 1

5. A splash type lubricating device'for an internalcombustion engine'having a cylinder and piston therein and having an inclosed crank case, such lubricating device comprising an outwardly opening air-outlet check valve connecting the upper part of the crank case with the atmosphere for expelling air from the crank case by the compressive action'of the engine piston on its return movement, an oil reservoir lower than the crank case and freely communicating therewith from a point near the bottom of the oil reservoir and below the level of the oil therein for the transfer of oil from the oil reservoir into the crank case, an air-admitting inwardly opening check valve from the atmosphere into the oil reservoir, a float-controlled air-transferring valve in control of communication from the top of the oil reservoir to the interior of the crank case, and a valve-controlling float in the crank case in control of the air-transferring valve to open or close the air-transferring valve as the oil in the crank case rises above-or sinks below a predetermined level.

6. A splash type lubricating device for an internal combustion engine having a cylinder and piston therein and having an inclosed crank case, such lubricating device comprising an outwardly opening air-outlet check valve connecting the upper part of the crank case with the atmosphere for expelling air from the crank case by the compressive action of the engine piston on its return movement, an oil reservoir lower than the crank case and freely communicating therewith from a point near the bottom of the oil reservoir and below the level of the oil therein for the transfer of oil from the oil reservoir into the crank case, an air-admitting inwardly opening check valve from the atmosphere into the oil reservoir, a floatcontrolled air-transferring valve in control of communication from the top of the oil reservoir to the interior of the crank case, and means accessible from the outside for adjusting the float to vary such predetermined level of oil in the crank case as desired.

7 A lubricating device for an engine having a closed crank-case, such lubricating device comprising means for expelling air from the crank-case, an oil reservoir in comuni a i n i h he ra kcase,

for ad t n t ospher n t6 the 'oil reservoir for f r ing t e i here fom ietq the crank-case. V

, A b i at n QY Q r1=fl1-$ll7i m c d enk-caee. nel lu e-mtg; device comprising a a t-- eut et Y ye f m said crank-case, an oil reselgvoip saiol crank-case, an i inlet valve oil g-esel voir, and a pae sa ge vleadin P int below the 0' e l infiie Q11 va e to a point Within 'tlie"crank case. I

9 A lubricating devige foganengine 111a ing a cl s r nk-ca e, u h lubri' vice comprising an i'l eceptaele a pa s sag e ad ng rom a point; below the all i eceptac eie sa iw nkrcase'meazi r' e ci g th a.-P $H in he. wank: s e w he ga p ess re 1the oil I I voiry a pa s g frQm. a point, abpye t l vel i sai reservo r; inflziaid;

fi qpie s 6i this pa tl lt magbe qbtalinggtqp five v a a ve. qzlmiql ziggvseisi passage; nd means 11 y he ql nti y 0 Oil in he .7 l. ,ase fol}, a tuating aid valv 10 A lubricating (levieefgrwan engine having a cl sed' crank-ease, 115311 lubricating deice cemmising a o l res voi er t n said eranlgqases; a passage leading from a point belqw the oil level in said reservoif l mp eld er nka aserm an or; d i g t e gas pressure in said crank-case below the gas PQSH9il f$fi d oil rese v r, a pa ag ding fmgn point abovethe oil level in said oil rese voip-into said CIIZI-Dk-CRSG,- a valve ntr llm i se dvpa sa er a float n, sa d crank-case"connectedwith said valve and arranged to unseat said valve when the oil in he crank-eas ri s abqvea p ed e level, v I

testimony whe of I ha e. af ixed my nalman-2e, Y V

JOSEPH F. MERKEL.

qgesejng the Commissioner of Patents, 7' 

